UPPER MARLBORO, Md.—Last weekend’s She Got Game Classic provided plenty of talent for fans, recruiters and media alike. Enough so that we’re taking a second look today at some of the other performances that caught the eye of our Blue Star Media staff. Today Travis Ponton takes a look at some new names you’ll be hearing more from as well as a couple who have already established themselves through their past efforts. Then Joe Fenelon follows that with a quick look at some of the standout Canadian talent that was a part of the eight team contingent making the trip across the border.
For a look back at our initial coverage from last weekend’s action, follow the link below.
http://www.bluestarmedia.org/8th-annual-got-game-classic/
ANOTHER LOOK – Travis Ponton
Jaylin Carodine continues to be a difference maker for a very talented St. John’s College team. In the second half of a very competitive game with Baldwin, it was the 5’9 2018 small forward whose scoring and boarding in the second half that put them over the top. Carodine is an explosive jumper and she’s not afraid to throw her weight around. Finishing with 13 points (9 after the break) and a bundle of rebounds, Carodine leaves no doubt that she’s a gamer. The question as to “where do you play her” has a simple answer- on the basketball court!
Anna Camden, a versatile 6’2 forward, had many eyes watching her intently this weekend. The 2019 Shipley School star is not only long, but has the ability to make plays inside and out. Camden can hit the jumper from 15 feet as well as beyond the arc and her shot will only continue to improve with age. She is also agile and can handle the ball well enough to get to the basket. Here’s a player who hits the offensive glass hard and runs the floor every possession. Against Capitol Christian, Camden finished with 12 points, at least 13 rebounds.
St. Francis Prep forward Emily Engstler has the enviable combination of skills and size. The 6-1 junior has the size and build to guard in the post, and also the handles and jump shot to score from the perimeter. At one point, she pulled a rebound and easily went the distance of the floor for a lay-up. The ability is there to knock down the transition trail three that college coaches covet. Foul trouble was an big issue against St. John’s Catholic Prep, so there’s no doubt they need her on the floor to be at their best this year.
Riverdale Baptist 2019 forward Jennifer Ezeh has a world of potential as a face up forward now and down the road. Ezeh is a strong and athletic player who at times flashes some big time footwork inside. She understands the use of her pivot foot and is making some nice up and under moves. Ezeh is fast and explosive in attacking the rim and did so effectively from the elbows and mid-post. There’s an assertiveness in her defensive game as well. The promising part is that there’s still room for her to grow both athletically and as a basketball player.
Kaia Harrison, a 5’6 sophomore true point guard of Baldwin High School (NY) is a very impressive and dynamic prospect. All the tools you look for out of a big time point guard are there. She’s got the glide to her game with the ball in her hands, always keeping her head up, and an excellent mix of pace and hesitation. Her ability to control the tempo was impressively noticeable and they were a different team when she wasn’t in the game. She teams with 2018 guard Aziah Hudson, who produced 37 points of her own in during one outing.
Looking for an athletic, 6’3 forward who is still unsigned in the 2017 class? Masseny Kaba is available out of Cathedral High School in Boston. She has the build, wingspan, feet, and skill set to continue her success at the next level. Watching her move in warm ups, the footwork and quickness for her size will catch your attention. She can put it on the floor to a degree and is a presence on the glass. Her game is still evolving and is worth a close look. Kaba will continue to weigh her options as the season progresses.
Blair Academy out of New Jersey dressed only eight players, but all five starters are Division I prospects. The 2018 class is led by tough, feisty 5’11 guard Erica Martinsen. Martinsen is a fierce competitor, which all coaches are finding harder and harder to find as a commodity. She creates her own shot both from beyond the arc as well as getting to the rim. The ability is also there to create shots for her teammates. Her sharp basketball instincts help her to fill the stat sheet with steals on the defensive end and her share of rebounds as well.
Brie Perpignan has some flash to her game, and can play on or off the ball at the guard spot. The 5’9, 2018 prospect out of Bishop O’Connell is fast with the ball in her hands. She uses that speed and an impressive handle to get to the rack but also recognizes when to kick it out to her teammates. Perpignan had 13 points in the first half of a tight battle Saturday night that went down to the wire. Expect to see her in many more big games on big stages in her promising future.
One word to describe the play of McEachern’s 2018 scoring guard Chanel Wilson – consistent! Over the years she’s continued to raise eyebrows as a versatile scorer who plays with poise and energy on both sides of the ball. More importantly, she does it every night out. In an overtime thriller against Riverdale Baptist, she turned in another double digit scoring performance, getting hot from deep. The challenge will really come next year with the graduation of talented teammates and the additional weight of carrying a team. No doubt she’ll step up and be following their footsteps to the highest level.
Profiled this summer, 2019 wing forward Vanessa Woodfolk of St. Anne’s Belfield is increasing the value of her stock in the early part of her sophomore season. The 6’2 prospect has a mix of athleticism, ball handling, and beautiful jump shooting. Woodfolk continues to be effective with that smooth jumper, and she went 2-2 from deep in her game Friday night. The athleticism plays well leading to blocks and a lot of rebounds. Once she comes up with the ball she’ll take it herself and score in transition. The tools and skills are certainly there to be among the elite.
OH CANADA!! – Joe Fenelon
It takes no time to notice Laeticia Amihere of King’s Christian College (2019). It’s not often you see a young lady attempting dunks in the lay-up line. The 6-3, athletic wing/forward is a match-up problem on both ends. She’s able to score away from the basket against true posts and finish versus smaller guards down low. Amihere exhibited enough ball handling and shooting touch to play on the perimeter while on the defensive end, she used her length to smothered the opposition. Her competitiveness and athletic ability allows her to produce things that don’t show up on the stat sheet.
We got to observe Shayeann Day-Wilson of Crestwood (2021) just once, but it did not take long to see why her coaches spoke so highly of her. On the court nothing indicates that she is a middle schooler. At 5-5 with a strong frame, she didn’t back down to a talented Elizabeth Seton team with at least five D-I players. Day-Wilson used her explosive, quick first step to getting into the lane. Her ball handling allowed her to separate from would-be defenders while using her pull up as an asset to not over penetrate while sharing the ball with teammates.
The sky is the limit for the silky-smooth Makayla Ennis of talented roster from The Rise Centre Academy. The promising junior left a lasting impression with her productivity. A slender wing, Ennis not only stood out on the defensive end of the floor, but she made some spectacular moves offensively as well. The quick-handed defender anticipated well and turned deflections and steals into transition offense. She showed range out to the arc, and a willingness to create options for her teammates.
In a day and age of specialty players. The best way to qualify Daija Moses is a basketball player. At 5-10, the Durham Elite senior had enough size and strength to score, rebound and operate in the paint area. She also showed a skill set to operate on the perimeter and shoot the three ball.
Julia Chadwick – 6-1 – Forward – 2018 – Durham Elite – Forward that played mostly facing the basket…Good passer…Positional rebounder…Showed perimeter touch…Can get to the rim
Mya Iriah – 5-8 – Guard – 2019 – Guelph – Effective scoring…Long, athletic guard…Strong perimeter defense…Attacked off the bounce…Provided rebounding help
Latasha Lattimore – 6-4 – Post – 2021 – Crestwood Lions – Young…Long lean post prospect…Agility speed and shot blocking ability are game changing…Back to the basket development will determine what level she ends up playing at
Ivana Twumasi – 5-7 – Guard – 2018 – Tech Titans Academy – Guard that has another gear past fast.. Smooth operator off the bounce…Finds cracks in the defense…Speed allows her to create space…Showed ability to knock down the three ball
Arial Wilson – 5-10 – Point guard – 2019 – The Rise Centre Academy – Played on loaded team…The glue that keeps the machine running…Floor general that can provide a scoring punch when needed
